PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast crafted a most unusual run to close out their final MACCC regular-season game. The Bulldogs scored their last 11 points from the free-throw line but couldn't get a 3-pointer at the buzzer to fall, losing 57-54 to Meridian.

Gulf Coast was down 52-43 with 6:13 to play when Zikeyah Carter (Fr., Waverly Hall, Ga./Harris County) went to the line. She missed her first, but made her second and would go on to make five more as the Bulldogs made all their free throws from that point on.

Her last two came with 62 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 56-52. Kelsi Jackson (So., Moselle/South Jones) made two more with 36.9 seconds to play to make a two-point game. She also had four free throws during the comeback.

After the Eagles made one free throw with 9.3 seconds left, Gulf Coast missed a 3-pointer but Meridian lost the rebound out of bounds with 5.6 seconds to play. Jackson had a 3-pointer from the left wing that hit back rim, front rim and popped out at the buzzer.

Jackson led Gulf Coast with 14 points. Sharisse Bridges (Fr., Jackson/Callaway) had nine.

Gulf Coast was just 6-of-17 from the charity stripe before starting the hot streak from the line. The Bulldogs ended shooting 63 percent on their free throws.

The Region 23 Tournament will start with three play-in games on Monday, March 29. The Bulldogs look poised to skip that round and move into the first round on Wednesday. They appear to be pointed toward a matchup at LSU Eunice, but there are more MACCC makeup games this week.

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.

By: Don Hammack
Sports Information Director
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College